i havent been catholic for many years, but i was still raised catholic and there are Various Christian Things that still get to me on an emotional level. for instance, the entirety of the Oh Hellos album Dear Wormwood. but another thing is The Battle Hymn of the Republic. "As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free" always gives me goosebumps. most patriotic songs don't get me. i'm not patriotic. but abolitionist songs? those can get me going.
Abolitionism transcends national boundaries, so you don't have to patriot-brained to like the song.
Also, I love how the same tune also contributed to Solidarity Forever and Blood on the Risers.
Oh, damn, it's also based on a song about John Brown, featuring lyrics like:
John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave; (3×)
His soul is marching on!"
and
They will hang Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree! (3×)
As they march along!
Man, they knew how to make a mean fucking tune before anything slightly patriotic was subsumed by a wave of Alamosexualism.
But maybe that's the key: you have to sing about a goal that's larger than country for country's sake. Dulce et decorum not shagging the flag est.


